WWE Raw Discussion Thread

[Oaf]

Raw certainly has its fair share of comedy moments these days, but I think it's more to do with having a whole lot of genuinely funny people on its roster (New Day, Enzo and Cas, Jericho and Owens) than because they're trying to make it one big joke.

 

[Stevencc]

Enzo and Cass are painfully unfunny but Jericho and Owens make up for that with their schtick. I loved the New Day at first but they've become a little stale now.

 

[Stevencc]

The Goldberg segment was great, who knew he was actually capable of a compelling promo!?

 

[GodsGift]

I've only watched it back but I thought his promo was shit. I know the lines between kayfabe and reality are intentionally blurred in the current WWE climate, but do we really need to hear the reason why Goldberg is coming back is to be a superhero for the kids? Can't that just be left unspoken? Why can't he just come back, be a badass and put on a great match against Brock? And if that inspires some kids in the process, great?

 

[Stevencc]

YOU'RE LAST!

I liked that line.

 

[Christian Slater]

It had a respectful crowd, emotion, sincerity, and a good ol' fashioned 'I'm here to kick your ass.' He paced it so well, you could anticipate 'you're last' and it made it feel more special.

 

[Oaf]

I have to say, I wasn't exactly enthralled with the idea of a rematch of one of the worst matches of all time, or Goldbergs return in general, but I actually really liked that promo segment as well and it's got me into a match now. I don't know if it can actually be a classic, but to be fair to Brock since his return pretty much every match he has tends to be a spectacle. But Goldberg... well, 12 years is a long time. In fact, that's like twice as long as his career was, isn't it? And that includes the gap between him being in WCW and then showing up in WWE. Plus he was never the most gifted wrestler in a technical way anyways. It won't be a classic in the technical sense, but it can still tell a great story if they do it right. Fuck it. I'm into Lesnar/Goldberg 2 now... which surprises me

 

[Captain Scumbag]

His promo and the crowd’s reaction surpassed expectation, but I’m still struggling to care.

I’m a tough sell because my starting point is that bringing back the stars of yesteryear is basically regressive and lazy. But I’ll warm to the idea if there’s the promise of a fresh match-up (like Rock vs. Cena) and I’ll get fully on board if the intention is to put over younger talent (Foley vs. Orton). But neither of those things apply here. It’s a repeat of a match we saw 12 years ago. One that wasn’t very good.

There isn’t much of a story. No stakes have been established. On the evidence of last night (a segment so ill-conceived that even Paul Heyman died on his arse trying to make it work), they haven’t even got a clear face/heel distinction to work with.

 

[Stevencc]

There is an element of "unfinished business" with the way the two performed the last time they faced each other, they should both at least be motivated to put on a strong match this time around. Whether they are capable of that is another matter.

 

[Bluebird_Dai]

Whoever booked that Lesnar segment needs firing, then rehiring just to fire the clown again. No sense at all in the way it was planned. Vince throwing a paddy just makes it even better as well.

 

[Stevencc]

And to think people were worried about Goldberg being out of shape.

 

[Oaf]

I have to say, I'm incredibly impressed with how the whole Goldberg thing has turned out so far. When I first saw the idea of that match was being hinted at I thought it'd be a disaster... I thought people wouldn't care about Goldberg being back or would dislike him as I always got the impression that his run in WWE didn't go down well... and I also thought that people would remember the match from WM 20 too much to allow themselves to get excited for a rematch. Truth be told, I thought it'd be a disaster.

And as the match is still yet to come, I guess it still could be. But I've really liked the build up so far and Goldberg seems as popular as ever. That segment on Raw was actually really fucking good. Against all odds, I'm really excited for the match.

 

[Madglover]

Why do the New Day still exist? I do hope they lose immediately now the last few months have been awful

 

[Luke]

I hope they drop the titles to Sheamus/Cesaro, I wasn't a fan of them two together at first but I am now.

I used to be a big New Day fan but it's getting a bit to much now.

Not a bad Raw this week, opening bout and main event especially were decent.

Lol at Foley saying he would swap Zayn for Eva Marie, banter.

 

[Libertine]

New Day haven't got anything to do. Really the only thing left is for them to face Enzo & Cass (imagine the promos) but may require them turning heel again. Could be a Mania face off.

 

[Luke]

Cesaro/Sheamus getting another shot at titles at Roadblock, think they may win tbh.

Whether it's the start of New Day splitting up I'm not sure but I feel a title change is coming this Sunday.

Im Probably completely wrong though.

 

[T.A]

Have they beaten the all time record for tag team champs now?

 

[RavenBish]

only reason they've retained them this long is to get Demolition out of the record books now they're suing WWE. I expect them to drop the belts pretty soon to advance a new tag team (Sheamus/Cesaro make sense).

Raw has actually been fairly entertaining the last 3 weeks, which is a good sign during what is usually the pre-Rumble rut.

 

[Bluebird_Dai]

Spoiler

Kurt frickin Angle

Raw hasn't been too bad the last couple of weeks i thought. We could do with Rusev utterly destroying Enzo & Cass, and Braun deciding to eat Sami Zayn but other than that its been ok.

 

[T.A]

Yes!

 

[Oaf]

I've never bothered going to a Hall of Fame before, but I'm really intending on it this year now Whenever the topic of my favourites of all time is brought up I always have a pretty concrete top 4 in Austin, Rock, Angle and then Taker. I fucking love Angle and I always considered it a crime to the sport of Pro Wrestling that he chose to be a big fish in a small pond rather than competing at the top, where he belonged.

If he has a match at WM though. Fucking hell.

 

[Libertine]

I've never bothered going to a Hall of Fame before, but I'm really intending on it this year now Whenever the topic of my favourites of all time is brought up I always have a pretty concrete top 4 in Austin, Rock, Angle and then Taker. I fucking love Angle and I always considered it a crime to the sport of Pro Wrestling that he chose to be a big fish in a small pond rather than competing at the top, where he belonged.

If he has a match at WM though. Fucking hell.

He has to, surely?

 

[T.A]

I can't remember if Jack Swagger is still with WWE and what brand he's on if he is but it would be a perfect time for a little push

 

[Stevencc]

Strong RAW last night...

Spoiler

JOE

 

[Luke]

I thought it was wank and has been for a while now.

Did enjoy Braun demanding a title shot and Joe's debut though, but apart from that zzzzzz, I get so bored watching Raw.

Smackdown is so much better.

 

[Stevencc]

I've not watched it for months but I did enjoy the HHH/Steph/Rollins stuff, Owens and Jericho as well as the part I spoilered.

Will give Smackdown a watch tomorrow.

 

[Oaf]

I generally agree that yes, Smackdown is the better show, but I actually think that for about a month now Raw has been putting on the stronger shows. And it was the same this week, too. The Seth/Triple H/Joe stuff was great, as was Heymans promo/challenge and The Owens/Strowman stuff. Smackdown didn't really offer anything besides JBL's fucking magical commentary during Carmellas match against the Blue Jobber Woman.

 

[Who Needs Mourinho]

I generally agree that yes, Smackdown is the better show, but I actually think that for about a month now Raw has been putting on the stronger shows. And it was the same this week, too. The Seth/Triple H/Joe stuff was great, as was Heymans promo/challenge and The Owens/Strowman stuff. Smackdown didn't really offer anything besides JBL's fucking magical commentary during Carmellas match against the Blue Jobber Woman.

Raw already had the stronger roster and recently they have added Goldberg, Lesnar, HHH, Undertaker and now Samoa Joe as well. Smackdown are doing the best with what they have got (except the tag team division which is a mess except for American Alpha) but they are getting a bum deal roster wise.

 

[Luke]

So is Seth really injured or is it a story line? I originally thought story but would lean towards legit injury now.

If it is a legit injury then jesus talk about bad luck.

I generally agree that yes, Smackdown is the better show, but I actually think that for about a month now Raw has been putting on the stronger shows. And it was the same this week, too. The Seth/Triple H/Joe stuff was great, as was Heymans promo/challenge and The Owens/Strowman stuff. Smackdown didn't really offer anything besides JBL's fucking magical commentary during Carmellas match against the Blue Jobber Woman.

I thought the opening and main event/ending on Smackdown were both good this week. SD to me just feels a lot fresh and less painful, Raw seems a chore at times and boring to me, I haven't been watching it as often lately I must admit as I just can't keep intrested.

 

[Stevencc]

The Festival of Friendship was fantastic!

Shame about the result in the main event, though.